ALCS: David Price shines as Red Sox reach World Series

The Boston Red Sox celebrate their win over the Houston Astros in American League Championship Series game five on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Boston Red Sox second baseman Ian Kinsler (R) and shortstop Xander Bogaerts celebrate the win over the Houston Astros in American League Championship Series game five on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Boston Red Sox second baseman Ian Kinsler celebrates the win over the Houston Astros in American League Championship Series game five on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Boston Red Sox reliever Craig Kimbrel throws against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning in American League Championship Series game five on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price throws against the Houston Astros during the second inning in American League Championship Series game five on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Boston Red Sox starter David Price heads to the dugout after retiring the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in American League Championship Series game five on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

The Boston Red Sox celebrate the win over the Houston Astros in American League Championship Series game five on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Boston Red Sox reliever Craig Kimbrel (upper right) celebrates the win in American League Championship Series game five on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers celebrates his three-run home run against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in American League Championship Series game five on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez (L) runs the bases past third base coach Carlos Febles (R) after his solo home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning in American League Championship Series game five on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez (R) celebrates his solo home run against the Houston Astros with teammate Xander Bogaerts during the third inning in American League Championship Series game five on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander throws against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning in American League Championship Series game five on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander throws against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning in American League Championship Series game five on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Houston Astros second baseman Marwin Gonzalez (9) celebrates his solo home run against the Boston Red Sox with teammate Jose Altuve (27) during the seventh inning in American League Championship Series game five on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

The Boston Red Sox celebrate the win over the Houston Astros in American League Championship Series game five on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

The Boston Red Sox celebrate the win over the Houston Astros in American League Championship Series game five on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Oct. 18 (UPI) -- The Boston Red Sox used a strong pitching performance from David Price to defeat the Houston Astros by a 4-1 margin, advancing to the World Series for the 13th time in franchise history and fourth in the last 15 seasons.

Boston defeated the Astros in five games of the best-of-seven series and reached their first World Series since being crowned champions in 2013.

Price's postseason struggles have been documented throughout his career, but the left-hander threw six dominant innings on Thursday night to guide his team to the win.

He gave up only three hits and no earned runs while striking out a postseason career-best nine batters. It was the first scoreless start of his playoff career, and his first postseason victory as a starting pitcher.

Boston opened up the scoring with a 396-foot solo shot to left field from J.D. Martinez, giving the Red Sox an early 1-0 lead in the third inning.

After allowing the solo homer, Houston starting pitcher Justin Verlander locked in for the next two innings, but eventually succumbed to the long ball again in the sixth.

Verlander gave up a lead-off double to Mitch Moreland, and Ian Kinsler followed that with a single to right field. Not to be outdone, Rafael Devers delivered a three-run home run to left field to push Boston's lead to 4-0.

It was Devers' third home run in the playoffs before turning 22 years old, putting him in an exclusive group of players. Only Mickey Mantle (4), Bryce Harper (4), Miguel Cabrera (4), Andruw Jones (4) and Devers (3) have hit three or more homers before reaching that age.

Verlander threw six innings and allowed four earned runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out four.

The Astros' only offense came in the form of second baseman Marwin Gonzalez. His solo homer in the bottom of the seventh inning off reliever Matt Barnes was Houston's only tally of the game.

Boston awaits the winner of the NLCS matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers. Los Angeles holds a 3-2 series advantage with Game 6 taking place on Friday night at Miller Park.

Moments from the MLB post-season

Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig hits a three-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the sixth inning in National League Championship Series game seven at Miller Park on Saturday in Milwaukee. The Brewers and Dodgers winner will play the Boston Red Sox in the 2018 World Series. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw gives a victory kiss to his daughter Cali Ann after the Dodgers beat the Brewers in NLCS game seven at Miller Park on Saturday. Photo by Brian Kerseyi/UPI | License Photo

Brewers' Orlando Arcia reacts after a high, inside pitch during the seventh inning against the Dodgers in NLCS game six at Miller Park on Friday in Milwaukee. The Dodgers lead the series against the Brewers 3-2. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

Second base umpire Alan Porter (C) signals safe as Brewers' Jesus Aguilar (L) slides past the tag of Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado after hitting a lead-off double during the seventh inning in NLCS game six at Miller Park on Friday in Milwaukee. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

Boston Red Sox second baseman Ian Kinsler (L) and shortstop Xander Bogaerts celebrate win over the Houston Astros in American League Championship Series game five at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Thursday. The Red Sox won all three games in Houston to win the series against the Astros 4-1. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Boston Red Sox second baseman Ian Kinsler reacts after sliding safely in to second for a double against Houston Astros second baseman Marwin Gonzalez during the eighth inning in game five of the AL Series on Thursday. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Houston Astros' Tony Kemp (R) is tagged out by Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (L) trying to stretch a single into a double during the eighth inning in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Wednesday. The Red Sox won 8-6. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Fans interfere with Red Sox right-fielder Mookie Betts (50) as he attempts to field a pop by Astros designated hitter Jose Altuve, who was called out during the second inning in Game 4 of the AL series. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws against the Milwaukee Brewers in National League Championship Series Game 5 at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday in Los Angeles. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado reacts after being hit by a pitch in NL Game 5. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Red Sox second baseman Ian Kinsler makes the force on Astros' Alex Bregman but fails to complete the double play during the first inning in the AL series Game 3 at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Tuesday. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce hits a solo home run against the Astros during the sixth inning in AL series Game 3. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers' Manny Machado hits a broken bat-single against the Brewers during the 13th inning in Game 4 the NL series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The Dodgers won 2-1. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers Manny Machado (L) and Yasmani Grandal (9) celebrate the 2-1 win over the Brewers on a single by Cody Bellinger during the 13th inning in Game 4 of the NL series. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Grandal hits a leadoff double against the Brewers during the fifth inning in NL series Game 3. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Astros pitcher Gerrit Cole (L) throws out Red Sox right-fielder Betts during the fourth inning in Game 2 of the AL series at Fenway Park in Boston on Sunday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Houston Astros center-fielder George Springer (R) checks on teammate Marwin Gonzalez after he hit the wall chasing a double by Red Sox Steve Pearce during the third inning in Game 2 of the AL series. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Red Sox first baseman Pearce (R) stretches to force out Astros' Josh Reddick (22) in the seventh inning of Game 1 during the AL series at Fenway Park on Saturday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Astros' Alex Bregman (2) is tagged out by Red Sox second-baseman Brock Holt (L) in the third inning of Game 1. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen throws against the Brewers in the ninth inning in NL series Game 2 at Miller Park on Saturday in Milwaukee. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger leaps for Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia's solo home run during the fifth inning in NL series Game 2. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

Brewers Jesus Aguilar (R) and Travis Shaw celebrate Aguilar's solo home run during the seventh inning of the NL series Game 1. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

Brewers right-fielder Domingo Santana scores on an RBI single hit by Ryan Braun during the fourth inning of NL series Game 1. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

New York Yankees batter Luke Voit reacts after he was thrown out at first base against the Red Sox in the fourth inning of their MLB American League Division Series Game 4 at Yankee Stadium in New York City on October 9, 2018. Photo by Ray Stubblebine/UPI | License Photo

Red Sox players celebrate after an umpire's review of a play at first base is called for the final out, ending Game 4 against the Yankees. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Holt celebrates as he runs the basses after hitting a two-run homer in the 9th inning against the Yankees on October 8, 2018. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Yankees batter Gleyber Torres (R) beats out an infield single as Red Sox left-fielder Pearce gets a late throw in the third inning of their AL division series game on October 8, 2018. Photo by Ray Stubblebine/UPI | License Photo

The Dodgers celebrate defeating the Atlanta Braves during the National League Division Series Game 4 at Suntrust Park in Atlanta on October 8, 2018. Photo by Paul Abell/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers' Manny Machado hits 3-run RBI during NLDS Game 4 in Atlanta

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado hits a 3-RBI home run against the Atlanta Braves during the 7th inning of the National League Division Series Game 4 at Suntrust Park in Atlanta on October 8, 2018. The Dodgers won 6-2 and will advance to the National League Championship Series. Photo by Paul Abell/UPI | License Photo

Astros Correa celebrates three-run homer against Indians in ALDS Game Three

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) high fives teammate Martin Maldonado after hitting a three-run home run against the Cleveland Indians during the eighth inning in American League Divisional Series game three at Progressive Field on October 8, 2018 in Cleveland. The Astros lead the series 2-0 over the Indians. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo

Astros pitcher Clevinger talks with catcher Gomes during fifth inning in ALDS Game Three

Cleveland Indians pitcher Mike Clevinger (L) talks with catcher Yan Gomes with two outs in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in American League Divisional Series game three at Progressive Field on October 8, 2018 in Cleveland. The Astros lead the series 2-0 over the Indians. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo

Brewers right-fielder Christian Yelich slides into third base on teammate Ryan Braun's single against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of the National League Divisional Series Game 3 at Coors Field on October 7, 2018 in Denver. Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI | License Photo

Rockies starting pitcher German Marquez throws against the Brewers during the first inning in Game 3 of the divisional series. Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI | License Photo

Astros reliever Roberto Osuna throws against the Cleveland Indians during the eighth inning in AL divisional series Game 2 at Minute Maid Park on October 6, 2018, in Houston. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Bregman scores the go-ahead run against Cleveland Indians catcher Yan Gomes in the sixth inning in AL divisional series Game 2. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) gets a hand from third-base coach Chris Woodward (45) after his fifth inning solo home run off Braves starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez in Game 2 of the NL division series at Dodger Stadium on October 5, 2018. The Dodgers won the game 3-0. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws eight scoreless innings to shut out the Atlanta Braves 3-0 in game two of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on October 5, 2018. The Dodgers won the game 3-0. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Rockies first-baseman Ian Desmond slides into third after stealing second base during the seventh inning against the Brewers in NL divisional series Game 2 at Miller Park on October 5, 2018, in Milwaukee. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo

Brewers reliever Jeremy Jeffress celebrates after final out against the Rockies in the ninth inning in NL divisional series Game 2. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo

Bregman (2) leaps to high-five third-base coach Gary Pettis after hitting a solo home run against the Indians during the fourth inning of the AL divisional series Game 1 at Minute Maid Park on October 5, 2018 in Houston. The Astros won the game 7-2. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber throws against the Astros during the first inning of Game 1. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez (14) blasts a solo home run off Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Brad Brach in the sixth inning of Game 1 of the NL division series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on October 4, 2018. The Dodgers won 6-0. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Braves' Sean Newcomb (15) relieves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz in the third inning of Game 1. Foltynewicz gave up four runs in the first two innings. The Dodgers won 6-0. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Brewers right-fielder Christian Yelich steals second base against the Rockies' D.J. LeMahieu during the eighth inning in NL division series Game 1 at Miller Park on October 4, 2018 in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 3-2. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo

Brewers right-fielder Christian Yelich (22) celebrates his two-run homer against the Rockies with teammate Lorenzo Cainin in the third inning of the NL divisional series Game 1. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo